title: Modulatory role of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the regulation of gonadotropin secretion in patients with chronic renal failure.
abstract: The role of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the regulation of gonadotropin secretion in renal failure, was studied in 5 patients with chronic renal failure who were on maintenance dialysis. Di-n-propylacetic acid (valproic acid-VA), a GABA-transaminase inhibitor which has been shown to increase brain GABA levels, was used in the study. VA produced no significant change in the basal serum LH and FSH concentrations, or in E2 or T concentrations in the renal failure patients, or the E2 and P concentrations in normal controls, but augmented the delta LH (maximum increment above baseline) and delta FSH response to LH-RH. delta LH rose from 30.4 +/- 12.7 mIU/ml (mean +/- SD) to 41.1 +/- 16.8 mIU/ml (p less than 0.01) after VA, while delta FSH rose from 2.8 +/- 1.8 mIU/ml to 3.8 +/- 1.6 mIU/ml (p less than 0.05). The findings support a modulatory role for GABA in gonadotropin secretion in chronic renal failure.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology; D006062:Gonadotropins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000378:metabolism*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D006062:Gonadotropins; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D013739:Testosterone; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D014635:Valproic Acid; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone